koebp



P. H. KOEP'P.

CURTAIN STRETCHER.

APPLICATION men :u'ua 14. 1918.

- Patented July 29, 1919.

P. H. KOEPP. 'cumm STRETCHER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I4 I9I8.

Patented July 29, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 2- P. H.- KOEPP.

CURTAlN STRETCHER.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE14, 918- v 131L653. Patented July 29, 1919.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

To all whom it may concern:

PAUTQ H. KOEPP, OF PITTSBURGH, PEN'NSYLV 1 CURTAIN-STRETCHER Be it known that 1, PAUL H. Konrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Stretchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others shlled in the art to which it appertains to ,make and use the same, reference being had to the and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a; part of this Specification. l

This invention relates to an improved stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles. The objects being to provide a stretcher that will permit a rapid and accu-' rate adjustment of the frame-rails to suit curtains of varyin widths and lengths. Another object of t e invention is to provide means whereby the curtains, when dried, may be released from their connected hooks instantly. A further object of the invention is to afi ord a simple means for rapidly drying the curtains, l

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises suitable stationary, or fixed supports, a rectangular frame arranged thereon, said frame having mounted therein a slidable base rail adjustable to accommodate any width of curtain, and a slidable' end rail adjustable to curtains of varying lengths, a means comprising tubes or rods arranged in bearings, said rods carrying slidingly strung hooks, a means for rotating said tubes or rods in unison, whereb the attached curtains may be instantly dlSCOIlnected, and the invention further consists in an attached canopy and heat supply therefor, whereby the curtains may be quickly dried, and the invention still further consists in the certain details of construction and arrangement of parts, as will be fully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawmgsa- Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved stretcher, together with a portion'of the connected heater for drying the curtains.

' pinion 8, which is in mesh with a similar rear view of a portion of the accompanying drawings,

- shaft 7, having a spline 7 Specification of Letters Patent. P t t d July 29, 19 Application filed June 14, 1918. Serial No. 239,960.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the telescopic tubes, showing one of the slidable curtainhooks in. position, and I Fig. 13 are end sectional views of the two different sized tubes used. I

To construct a curtain stretcher in accordance with my invention, 1 first fix in a suitable position vertically-arranged supports 1, of any desired number, the twoouter of which are provided on their inner faces with grooves 4, which act as slides or guides. Slidably mounted between the two outer standards and loosely connected thereto by means of guide-plates 3, is a frame 2, rectangular in form, and capable of being elevated above or lowered to the floor. Longitudinallfy placed and parallel with the lower brace o the frame 2, is a curtain" carrying rail 5, capable of being moved vertically and slidabIy connected to one of the end ralls by guide plates 6. Perpendicular to this'curtain rail 5, and parallel to the end rails of the frame '2, is an adjustablecurtain-carrying rail 1818, in two parts, the one telescoping within the other, whereby said rail may be lengthened or" shortened, to corre spond with'and conform to the position of the curtain-carrying rail 5. This vertically disposed rail 18 1 i s'loosely connected to the top rail of the frame 2,'by suitable cleats 6, (seeFigs. 9 and 10) in a manner that will permit said slidable rail 18 18', to .move freely toward either end of the frame 2. Carried by the top rail of the frame 2 and extending its entire length is a tubular mounted at either end in bearings 15 45, 1 attached to said'frame 2. At one end of this 'shaft 7, and attached thereto, is a bevel pinion 9, attached to a vertically arranged tubular shaft 1?, and mounted 1n bearings 15 attached to one of the end rails of the frame 2. A similar tubular shaft 7', with spline 7", is mounted in bearings 15' 45',

said shaft. being to the vertical movable rail 5.

- cally-adjustable rail 5 able rail.

' 7 may be rotated frame 2, or

when rotated or turned backward, are

and lower hor1z onattached to the vertiand by a sliding connection with the shaft 17", and the other bearing 15', to the other end of said adjust- The said shaft 7 extending of the rail 5. This shaft by means of a fixed bevel pinion 9, in mesh with a floating pinion 9 carried by the bearing 15, the latter mentioned pinion capable of being slid along the length of the shaft 17". Mounted in bearings 20 20, .(see Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11) is a telescoping tubular shaft 19 19, fitted at the top with a fixed bevel pinion 11, and at the bottom with a fixed pinion 12. These two fixed pinions 11 and 12, are in mesh with two floating pinions 10 and 12", which may be moved freely along the length of the shafts 7 and 7', and rotate therewith. Rigidly connected to the top shaft 7, is a short shaft 14, fitted with a hand wheel 15", which when turned or revolved the motion will be transmitted to each of the four shafts 7 7 17 and 19 19, said motion of rotation being either inward toward the outward away from the same. Each of these last mentioned shafts are fitted with a number of slidable curtain-attaching hooks, each of which comprising a metal ring 25, having a semi-enlarged bore 26, (see Figs. .12 and 13) forming shoulders to engage with the splines 7-, formed with each of the said shafts, and an outwardlyextending,-"attached pointed hook 27, to engage with the curtain. Arranged at the the one bearing 15' the entire length rear of these hooks 27, and their carrying said hooks thin shafts and fr'eefrom contact with strips of wood, the upper tally-arranged strips 16, being rigidly attached to the .top rail of the frame 2, and The end strip 21, and that attached by brackets 23, to the center rail 19 19, are formed in two pieces, the one piece connected (22) slidably to the other,to elongate-or shorten by reason of the movement of the vertically movable rail 5.

At the rear of the frame ing rail 5, and central. rail 19, 19, all of which are .made preferably in channel form, are racks 5', which extend along a portion of their lengths. A shaft 30, mounted in bearings and extending the length of the -may be dried quickly,

2 also the mov when in mesh with their respective'racks 5-, will insure parallel relations between the center rail and the end railsof the frame.

' To lock the vertically-moving rail 5, at any desired position, a latch is provided, (see Figs. 3 and 4) which comprises a lever 31", hinged (34') at one end to said rail, a guide and keeper 34, and a single tooth 31,

adapted to en age with a toothed wheel 29,

fixed to the s aft 30, (and in another 1n- A similar latch is used for locking the telescopic shaft 28 28, carrying the rack gear wheels 29, and if desired, the lock bolt 32, may be omitted, and a tension spring 35 spbstituted.

To provide a means whereby the curtains a canopy 39, is arranged immediately above the frame 2, and. large enough to contain the same. This canopy 39, 1s fitted with steam-heating pipes 40, with regulatingvalve 41, to keep the interior'at a comparatively high temperature. The canopy is supported upon the uprights 1, which also support sheaves 37, 'over which ropes 36, are assed, said ropes being attached to the en s of the frame. 2,. and to balance weights 38, this arrangement wil permit the frame 2, to be elevated within the canopy and withdrawn from the same.

In operation, the latch 31, locking the vertically-moving rail- 5, is released and said rail lifted up or lowered down, to correspond to the width of the curtains to be operated upon and relocked in the desired position. helatch 31, locking the shaft 28 28', is released, which will permit the center rail to be moved horizontally and adjusted to suit the length of the curtains, and locked in such adjusted position. The curtains are now attached about their four edges to the hooks 27. Several curtains, if of the same dimensions, are superimpose the one over the other, and the entire frame and its attached curtains elevated to and inclosed within the. drying chamber above and permitted to remain there until the cur. tains are thoroughly dried, after which the frame isdrawn down to its former level.

To remove the curtains from their multiplicity of hooks 27, it is onl necessary to w ich give the hand wheel 15" a slig t turn,

by reason of the shouldered rings 25, and

rovided. This boltv engagingsplines, withdraw all books simultaneousl ,releasing the finished curtains.

The a vantages of this improved stretcher are many and obvious. The edges of the curtains operated upon must necessarily be in straight lines with the corners perfect right-angles. The easy adjustment of the frame to the varying widths and lengths of curtains and the instant disconnection of the large number of hooks, togetherwith the means of rapidly drying the curtains.

Various slight modifications and changes may be made in the details of construction, without altering the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, comprising av rectangular frame, a vertically adjustable curtain-carrying rail mounted thereon, a means for locking the same, a longitudinally adjustable telescopic rail intermediate of the top rail of the frame and said curtain carrying rail, a means for locking the same, separate shafts or rods mounted on each of said carrying rails, shafts or rods mounted upon the top rail of said frame and uponone of the end rails of the same, a series of rings threaded on 'each of said shafts, and a pointed hook attached to each of said rings for engagement with a curtain.

2. In a lace curtain stretcher, the combination with a carrying shaft having a spline extending in the direction of its length, of rings strung on. said shaft, shoulders formed with said rings to engage with said spline to limit the rotatable movement about the shaft, and a pointed hook carried by each of the rings for engagement with the curtains.

3. A stretcher for lace curtains. and similar articles, comprising a rectangular frame, a vertically adjustab e curtain-carrying rail mounted thereon, a means for locking the same, a means for keeping. said rail in parallel relation with the top rail of said frame, a longitudinally adjustable telescopic rail intermediate of the top rail of the frame and said curtain carrying rail, a means for locking the same, a means for keeping said telescopic rail in parallel relation with the end rails of the frame, and means for attaching curtains or similar articles about said frame.

4. A stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, comprising a frame rectangular in form, a vertically adjustable curtain carrying rail mounted thereon, a means for locking the same, ameans for keeping said rail in parallel relation with the top rail of said frame, means for attaching the curtains comprising a shaft extending the length of the rail and slidable hooks, a

longitudinally adjustable telescopic rail intermediate of the top rail of the frame and said Vertically adjustable rail, a means for locking the same, a telescopic shaft with slidable hooks mounted on said rail, a shaft carried along the length of the top rail, a shaft mounted on the end rail opposite the telescopic rail, and slidable hooks strung on each of the two latter mentioned shafts.

5. A stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, the .combination of a curtain carrying frame, rectangular in form and mounted in slides, whereby said frame may be lowered to, or elevated above the floor level, means comprising counterweights for suspending said frame at the desired position, a heat retaining canopy located above and capable of containing said frame, and a means whereby the frame may be adjusted to suit curtains of varying lengths and widths. v

6. In a stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, a curtain-carrying shaft mounted in bearings, means comprising hooks for engaging the curtain carried by said shaft, and a means whereby said shaft and hooks may be rotated to disengage all of said hooks from the curtain simulta neously.

7. In a stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, a curtain-carrying shaft journaled in bearings, means comprising slidably-strung hooks mounted upon said shaft for engaging the curtain, and a means whereby said shaft and hooks may be rotated in unison.

8. In a stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, a suitable frame, curtaincarrying shafts mounted in bearings carried by said frame, gears connecting said shafts to rotate the same in unison and in specified directions, means comprising hooks carried by each of said shaftsfor engaging the curtains, and a means whereby the one set of shafts may be adjusted toward and away from each other.

9. In a stretcher for lace curtains and similar articles, a sectional curtain-carrying shaft, the one section telescoping within the other, bearings for carrying sald sectional shaft, means comprising slidably-strung hooks carried by said shaft for engagement with the curtains, and a means whereby said shaft and hooks may be rotated in unison and in a specified direction.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signaaure in presence of twowitnesses.

PAUL H. KOEPP. Witnesses M. E. HARRISON, RUTH R. HARRISON. 

